Temi Kings
The 2026 US Open etched its name into the history books with a late-night quarterfinal encounter that shattered records and expectations alike. Eighth-seeded American Ben Shelton pulled off the biggest victory of his career, dethroning defending champion and World No. 2 Carlos Alcaraz in a breathtaking five-set marathon: 6-7(5), 6-1, 6-3, 1-6, 7-6(10-7). Concluding at 3:33 AM local time on Wednesday morning, the four-hour and 28-minute war surpassed the previous tournament record for the latest finish ever at Flushing Meadows.
The contest unfolded as a high-octane battle of contrasting styles. Alcaraz struck first, snatching a razor-thin opening set tiebreak 7-5. However, Shelton responded with devastating aggression, resetting the tempo by dominating the second set 6-1 and tearing through the third 6-3 with unreturnable serves and blistering forehand winners. Refusing to surrender his title without a fight, Alcaraz mounted an extraordinary fourth-set counter-attack, sprinting through the frame 6-1 to force a deciding fifth set—though the immense physical toll was evident as the Spaniard battled exhaustion on the changeover.
The final set turned into an absolute war of attrition on Arthur Ashe Stadium. With neither man yielding an inch, the match moved into a high-stakes 10-point tiebreak. Shelton’s serve held firm when it mattered most; leading 9-7, the 23-year-old launched a final 146mph serve out wide that Alcaraz could not contain. The win snaps Alcaraz's 18-match Grand Slam winning streak and sets up an all-American semifinal showdown between Ben Shelton and Frances Tiafoe for a place in the US Open final.